What's the swiftest way for a lady to expand her private safety? Research the best self defence martial art? Learn self defence online? These are good options, but they aren't as fast as obtaining a self-protection widget. Self defense gizmos are not customarily dedicated weapons, each are improvised weapons that are legal to carry.
Improvised weapons are tools that serve a practical need, and may be employed for self-defense in an emergency. There are many generally available products. As a professional instructor, I counsel females to focus upon keyring devices unless you would like to pursue major training or get a weapons permit. A keyring is something each adult has when away from the home.
Attached is a quick list of different devices, where to source them and cost, and a few Pro's and Con's to each:
Self Defense Ring (as in finger jewelry) - ($10, Amazon)
Pro - Adds a point or stud to the hand, which can add power to strikes.
Con - Available just about exclusively in male styles, and the strike won't have enough penetration to stop an aggravated threat.
Self Defense Umbrella - ($100, Amazon)
Pro - Serves a very real purpose and can act as a walking stick also.
Con - An additional item to account for, likelihood of having it in a time of need are affected by climate.
Keyring Palm Stick (also called a kubatan) - ($10.00, Amazon)
Pro - Proven design, and can be useful.
Con - Adds length to total keyring so it doesn't fit as well in a pocket or purse.
Cat Head-type Keyring Devices - ($10.00, Amazon)
Pro - Might make a punch improved with adequate coaching. Straight hand strikes is a non-natural rather than natural movement.
Con - Tiny ears have edges that catch clothing and loose items in a purse, full hand won't be supported by the punch.
Keyring Stun Guns - ($20, Amazon)
Pro - Makes an impressive sound and the blue electric arc might scare an attacker..
Con - These put out 6,000,000 volts, which sounds like a lot - but doesn't have much effect. Models that have over 30,000,000 volts can be an improvement, but are larger and do not fit on a keyring. Must be charged to work.
Keyring Pepper Gas - ($10, Amazon)
Pro - Will cause crying and affect vision if a threat is hit in the face soon enough.
Con's - Tiny cannister size doesn't have enough spraying power to hit a threat far enough away to stop him.
EDC-1 Keyring Tool - ($12.95, Self-defense Global)
Pro - Fits nicely in the hand and is very effective with a natural hammerfist-type strike.
Cons - Is currently available through one source, as Self-defense Global wants to provide instruction in addition to just selling widgets.
The last of these devices, the EDC-1, is my very own design. I designed it thanks to the shortcomings I saw in other gizmos ladies have brought to me over the years - but any of these individual keyring options will be better than zip.
Another positive is that these devices are so affordable that a few can be bought, and you can test and see which you prefer, without being out tons of bucks. Give yourself a little bit of an edge, at a low cost and no annoyance. Try one of the keyring devices and stick with the one you personally like.
About the Author:
Eric Scott is a Krav Maga Black Belt and creator of Self defense Global . Self-defense Global offers gear, training, and training missions for a safer life. He offers a free online course that offers more knowledge than most paid programs.